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Greeting 




]'. desire at this time to thank our many friends for the liljcral 
jialrona^e extended to us in tlie past, and to all potato growers 
\vc extend a most hearty greeting and ask as a favor to yourself. 
as well as to us, that you read carefully on the following pages 
what wc and others have to say about the "Hoover Digger," and then if 
you are interested enough to try one of our machines we will assure >(ni that 
we will gi\e you the lK\st the market affords, and what all the leading potato 
growers of the country are using. Another thing we desire to call your 
attention to is that 

WE SEND THE HOOVER POTATO DIGGER ON TRIAL, 

as per our regular warranty, so you have a chance to try it in your own 
field. Could anything be fairer? The testimonials i)rinted herein are not 
only j^(/i///f/t' but inisoliiittd and are but a few of the hundreds we have to 
choose from. 

We will ])ay S500.00 in gold to anyone proving that they are fraudulent 
or were sought for by us. The several views in ihe fiekl show for themselves. 
Really the reputation and fame of our goods are such that it is hardly neces- 
sary to offer any testimony. Give the Digger a chance to prove its merits in 
the field and you will sound its praises longer and louder than we do. 

It is especially gratifying to us to point to the fact that of the thousands 
of acres of potatoes grown in this (ICrie) county annually there is not to 
exceed fifty acres dug with any other than the Hoover Digger. W'e ]>oint 
with pride to this home endorsement and the further fact that we have sold 
to Ivrie Co. (Ohio), farmers, Hoover Diggers as shown by the list of 
purchasers printed el.se where in this little book. 

//' von art- at all skeptical dow'i buy a digger on the strength of what we 
say, but rather on the evidence of superior merit it will show when at work 
in your own field, before your own eyes. That is all we ask. I**or a partial 
list of the great men and institutions using the Hoover, we refer you to 
the Hoover Card, which can be had for the asking. 

Thanking you in advance for any favors you may show us. we are, 

Your obedient servants, 

THE HOOVER PROUT CO. 




A.H.PROUT 



m 10 1905 
"'■.: : D. ofD, 



A.L.HOOVER 



THE HOOVER DIGGER 



READY FOR THE FIELD. 










V 



AND STILL THE LIST GROWS. 

HOW WE STAND AT HOME. 

The gentlemen named below arc purchasers of the Hoover Digger in 
our own little county of lirie, the smallest but one in the State of Ohio: 

V. Fries 2, A. Wright 2, W. Hunsdorf 2, Peter Criss 2. A. \V. Prout 2. F. KcUey, T. B. Taylor & Co. 3, 
A. Cowell 3, Geo. A. Ransom, J. H. HulTman 2, C. I.. HoUiday 2, H. Ilahn, Levi Arnold 2, Weikle Bros. 2, 
A. G. Miller 2, Rau & 7.orn, R. W. Rockwell 2. I, Chapin, John Starr 2, A. Magill. Sales & WillinRcr, 
J. W. Smith, G. D. I.imbird, Chas. L. House 2, Fred Groves, C.W. Taylor & Son 2, Frank Kellcy, C. Reed, 
J. W. Lyics 2, Himberger Bros. 2, I'. Ohlemachcr 2, Jos. Smith, C. Scheuffler, P. Diehl 2, D. B. & J. W. 
Smith, C. \V. nawlcy, Henry Sprinckle 2, Thomas Bellmy 2, S. A. Lockwood 2, Geo. Bittncr, Capt. Coul- 
ter, O. Meeker 2, E. Mixtcr 2, G. Sands 2, Henry Sprinckle, Jr., Geo. Parker, C. Stine, Peter Williams 2, 
Wm. Cole, Otzel & Shamp 2, Henry Streng, Cha.s. Drake, Morgan Bros. 3, C. Schoeffle 2, C. Drum 2, 
Henr>' Holliday. Louis Schamp, C. Goodsite, John Kelly, Jos. Kromer 2, Henry Kuhl, Fred Sohl, Joseph 
Keller, Wm. Zorn, Jeffrey iS: Son. Wm. Rosekclly. Huttenlocher & Son, F. A. Akins, H. Hahn, Sr., 
Jacob Otto, Kromer Bros., A. Kolb. George Sage, Fred White, George Smith, H. M. Baker. Wm. Lander, 
M. Mixtcr, W. .\. Squires. Theo. Washburn, Altvatcr & Prentice, Chas. Baum, John Bohn. W. D. Everett, 
Henry Ferl)cr, Chas. Kromer, J. & G. A. Perrin. John Rhincmiller, Wm. Rommell, S. M. Ray. Jno. 
Stiner, Chas. Strickfaden, Wm. Starr. A. A. Stoors. Fred Sweet, George Taylor. W. W. Woolvcrtnn, 
D. Sayles, H. W. Rohrl>achcr. L. Greene, A. Brownell. Erie County Board of Infirnjary Directors, Henry 
Baumhardt, H.J. Braunhardt, Aug. Heminger. Coon Keller. Sam Taylor, Will Fiden, Jno. Quail, Thos. 
Lundy, Geo. Harris, H. F!. Sprinkle & Co., Ed. Shattock, L. C. Ki.shman, Aug. Kline, Gus Kromer, M. 
Puckrin, Milliman Bros., Louis Hartwick, Chas. Neill, J. Bixby, L. Roscoc, C. Sipp, F. A. Barrows, L. 
Schamp, J. Snyder, Martin Bro<), Louis Keller, Wm. Bcatty, Jas. Loos, A. W. Fischer, Lewis Taylor, 
Wm. Judson, Chas. William.s, Philip Conradi, G. .K. B.ium, Conrad Crol, Chas. Bailey. H. J. Merthe, 
C. W. Taylor, Hiram Drake. Geo. Schwab. Joe Springer, Hcrmaa Crecclius, I'. P. Schncc, M. W. 
Burdue, G. W. Chapin, Reidy Bros., Chas. HufTman. Total 1S3. 



THE FACTS ^^OUT 

THE CONSTRUCTION 



THE TWENTIETH CENTURY DIGGER. 

The Hoover Digger is the only one that successfully separates the 
potatoes from the vines and other foul matter, the potatoes being delivered 
behind the machine, in a narrow row, on clean ground, while the vines are 
carried to the left side, the upper set of rods doing this work, with the aid 
of the constantly moving forks. Growers should give this improvement great 
weight in buying a digger. Notice how tlie machine leaves the potatoes, as 
per field scenes on the following pages. The ' ' Hoover ' ' costs a little more 
than some others, but if you wall examine it carefully and compare the work 
it does with that done by other machines you will not hesitate to pay the 
difference in price. 

HOW IT IS DONE. 

It will be noticed by the cut that the power is taken by a drive chain 
from the large sprocket wheel on either side and immediately transmitted to 
the shaft at the upper end of the elevator; this in turn sets the back rack in 
motion, also the forks. 

THE LEVERS. 

The forward lever, so convenient to the driver, regulates the depth, 
which is easily done w^hile the machine is in motion, while the side lever 
regulates the position of the back rack. 

OUR SHOVEL. 

Is of special design and composition, which we unhesitatingly guarantee 
against stumps and stones. We have a special hinged shovel for stonj' land 
which is furnished when ordered 

HOW ABOUT THE DRAFT? 

We are sometimes asked : ' ' How many horses are required to handle 
your digger? " and we answer, " Two," though the conditions of the ground 
and the depth necessary to dig are important factors in determining this. 
The draft has been greatly reduced so two horses can handle the machine 
under ordinary circumstances, but we guarantee the Digger against four 
horses; if that many are necessary, put them abreast. This is done where 
from five to eight acres are dug in a day. The machine is furnished with 
complete four-horse double and singletrees. 



THE BEARINGS. 

The main shaft runs in dirt-proof reversible brass boxes, provided with 
6-inch oil tubes. The drive wheels are furnished with hardened steel hubs, 
which practically does away with all wear on the main axle. All other bear- 
ings are made as near dirt-proof as possible, but when wear occurs can be 
very easily replaced with but slight expense. 

NO SIDE-HILL SLIDING, ETC. 

The Hoover is provided with side-hili, spurs, when so ordered, which 
prevent the Digger from ' ' sliding ' ' on hill-sides. 

No contract work is done on these machines, but are built under the per- 
sonal supervision of the inventor, thereby securing the greatest possible 
accuracy and perfection in every part. 

When ordering kindly describe soil and lay of land fully, as we trim our 
Diggers for lyoam, Marsh, Muck, Gravel and Stone, and for Side-Hill work. 
By doing this you will get a machine just suited to your conditions. 

IMPROVEMENTS. 

With the improvements put on during the past season the Hoover Dig- 
ger is (without exception) the best one on the market. If you don't believe 
this just give us an opportunity to demonstrate the fact in your own field. 
All we ask is that you buy the one doing the best work. All of our Diggers 
are sent out under our regular guarantee and terms. 

ABOUT THE WARRANTY. 

Every machine is fully warranted, and satisfaction guaranteed, or no 
sale, whenever given a fair trial. We require references from parties who 
are unknown to us. Bank reference preferred. 

r On three and nine months' time, with interest $ioo oo 

TERMS ] Cash after trial loo oo 

( Sorter and Sprouter combined 15 00 

ON BOARD CARS, AVERY, OHIO. 

WARRANTY. 

We warrant the Hoover Potato Digger to be well made, of good ma- 
terials, and with proper care and management is capable of doing first-class 
work. That the purchaser shall have one day to give it a fair trial, and if it 
should not work well, written notice, stating wherein it fails, is to be given to 
the agent from whom it is received, and to The Hoover-Prout Co., 
Avery, Ohio, and a reasonable time allowed to get to it and remedy the 
defects, if any (the purchaser rendering necessary and friendly assistance), 
when, if it cannot be made to do good work, and the failure is due to a 
defect in the iron or construction of the machine, it shall be returned to the 
shipping station where received, and the purchaser shall not be required to 
settle for said machine. A failure to give such notice, or continued use of 
the machine, will denote ownership by said purchaser. 

6 



Much Pleased and Thanks for Promptness. 

C. Z. Gardner writes: S. Schodack, N. Y., Sept. 24, 1902. 

Received your Potato Digger on the 21st inst., gave it a trial on the 23d, and will say 
that we were much pleased with it and want to thank you for the rapidity you used in 
getting it here, which is a great deal sooner than we expected it. 



An Experience Worth Reading. 

The Hoover-ProuT Co., Avery, O. Lexington, O., Jan. 18, 1902. 

GoitlcDirn: We want to give you our experience with yowx Digger covering a 
period of fourteen years, with the exception of two years ( 1900 and 1901 ) when we were de- 
luded with the notion we could get a lighter two-horse digger that would do the work as 
well as yours. We therefore bought, paying $60.00 for a digger, the best we be- 
lieve of its class on the market to-day. We thought it did the work fairly well, seemingly 
getting the potatoes about all on the top of the ground. After digging over a nineteen- 
acre field we found, on preparing the ground and drilling .0 wheat a great many pota- 
toes dragged out to the surface. On a little more than /lalf die field we picked up of 
marketable potatoes twenty-seven bushels, with a good many cut. Not being quite satis- 
fied we concluded to use it another year, after putting on it ourselves an important 
improvement for gauging the depth. We dug over an eight-acre field of fine potatoes 
but found we were leaving quite a good many in the ground. When done we thought 
we would run a single shovel through a few rows and the result was we dug the entire 
field over with the shovel plow and got 120 bushels of good potatoes, a good many in- 
jured by cutting however. This satisfied us and we shall hereafter use our Hoover, 
knowing that once going over gets all. The smaller two-horse diggers will not meet 
the varied conditions that are found in every field of potatoes at digging time. The 
separation of tops, trash and potatoes cannot be such as to leave all the potatoes on top 
of the ground in the best condition for picking up, as the Hoover does. The wear and 
tear on a man's legs and boot leather is too much, to say nothing of the time lost 
and the potatoes left in the ground to justify any potato grower buying any of the so- 
called perfect two-horse diggers of w-hich w-e are acquainted. The Hoover is as near 
perfection as is possible to make a digger. 

Very truly yours, J. H. PALM & SONS. 



About Heaoi), Stony Ground. 



Hon. J. H. Brown writes: BaTTLE Creek, Mich., Nov. 12, 1902. 

I dug 600 bushels of Carmen No. 3 potatoes in less than five hours work one day 
last week. How's that for the Hoover in heav}-, stony ground? 



Did More than u:)as Claimed for It. 

The Hoover-Prout Co., Avery, O. Chicago, III., Oct. 10, 1902. 

GentlcDicri: Last season I purchased one of 3-our Potato Diggers and now write to 
tell you how well pleased I am with it. Wlien I purchased the machine I would have 
been satisfied with it haa it done one-half of what you claim for it, but am pleased to say 
it has not only exceeded my expectations, but has done more than you claim for it. It 
does rapid, clean and effectual work. I write this in hope that it may assist not only 3'ou 
but vny fellow farmers. Yours very truly, 

F. A. PALMER, A. G. P. A., Wabash Railroad. 



Well Suited. 

S. W. BuTTERFiELD writes: Perkinsviele, Vt., Nov. 21, 1902. 

Enclosed find check to pay for the Potato Digger purchased of you. We are well 
suited with it. 

8 



The Only " Real Thing " to Dig Potatoes. 

J. Monroe Anderson writes: Oakville, Ind., Sept. 12, 1902. 

We have to have a few repairs, but the Hoover is the " real thing " to dig potatoes. 
It is the one digger in the field that is constructed on scientific principles. I have had 
mine twelve years, but have kept it up to date by adding all the new improvements and 
after digging thousands of bushels, from two to six every season, it will, with a few re- 
pairs, be as good as new. 

Later: Owing to the wet season potatoes dug verj^ hard this season. The ground 
was packed and altogether too wet when I dug mine, but the Hoover got there in great 
shape. Without it I would surely quit the potato business. 



A Few Walcott, lotca, Recommends. 

Tony Brush says: 

In regard to the Hoover Potato Digger, which I have bought of your agent, J. H. 
Strohbeen, must say that it has given excellent satisfaction, both to myself and neigh- 
bors. Also must sa}' that it completely separates the potatoes from vines and weeds, dis- 
charging same in compact rows so as to be easily gathered. I have dug 700 bushels in 
seven hours, but it took eight men to pick them up. Buy a HOOVKR and you will not 
regret it. 

Chas. H.'^.llER writes: 

I started the. Hoover Digger, which I have purchased from your agent, J. H. Stroh- 
been, and as you no doubt know we have been having heavy rains and the soil was very 
heavy and wet, but must say the machine did its work in the finest shape, but of course 
the weight of the soil made heavy work for the team. It was about as severe a test as 
could be. 

RiCHARB SCHROEDER writes: 

Having purchased a Hoover Digger wnll say that it has given me good satisfaction 
and will say it will always be a fixture on my farm. I am very much pleased with the 
machine and can recommend it highlv. 



A Fair Trial and Well Pleased. 

jNo. L. Thompson writes: Goshen, N. J., Nov. 3, 1902. 

I have given the Potato Digger a fair trial and am well pleased with it. After one 
season's trial I would not be without the HOOVER POTATO DIGGER. 



Beats Them All. 

Jno. L. Chapman writes: Tali^madge, O., Oct. 28, 1902. 

The machine is doing splendid work and the neighbors keep me busy digging for 

them. They all say it beats any digger they ever saw. The Co. has one of 

their diggers in m}' neighborhood but they can do nothing with it when the ground is 
weedy and the rows full of grass, but I can walk right through any weeds or anything 
else. 

Complete Work Done. 

The Hoover-Prout Co., Avery, O. Leipsic, O., Oct. 10, 1902. 

Gcntlc})icn: Enclosed please find check for the Digger. Please give us credit for 
same and oblige. Will say it does the work complete and we are well pleased. Can dig 
from five to seven hundred bushels per day. Wishing you success and hoping we may 
be able to do more business in vour line in the future, we are. 

Yours respectfully, HUMMON IMPLEMENT CO. 



Doing All Can Ask For. 

Clayton C. Taylor writes: Lawton Station, N. Y., Oct. 30, 1902, 

I presume you are interested in knowing how the machine is working. Am pleased 
to state that it is doing all can ask for. In fact I wonder how it can do as well as it 
does under such unfavorable conditions as we are using it in. I don't believe there is 
any other digger made that would be of any account where we are digging. 

More Than Pleased. 

D. C. McInTvre, Cascade, Wis. 

Dear Si)-: The Digger gave entire satisfaction. I was more than pleased with the 
work. I wrote an article to the Clinton ville Tribune praising the merits of the Hoover 
Digger but it was not printed. I think it was because I did'nt patronize the home trade. 
This editor wants every one to patronize the home trade, but the home trade has nothing 
equal to the Hoover Digger. I hope you can make several sales in this vicinity next 
year. With best wishes to yourself, I remain. 

Very re.spectfully, J. R. WILLIAMS. 

(The above was sent us by Mr. Mclntyre with the picture on page 15. ) 



" Gits Thar" iDith Less Backache. 

The Hoover-Prout Co., Avery, O. Acacia, Ont., Can., Oct. 20, 1902. 

Gentlemen: Machine arrived O. K. Have tried it and find it O. K. and the elevat- 
ing apparatus out of sight when digging. We dug in loamy soil after a heavy thunder 
storm and it did its work perfectly, could ask for nothing better. My potatoes are in 
very deep but it puts every one on top. The many heavy rains we have had here makes 
the ground very clammy and the machine run heavy but it " gits thar " just the same. 

I ordered a '- — machine and tried it but it works no more like yours than a horse 

chestnut works like a chestnut horse. Yours with less backache, ROB'T W. DICK. 



Behaoed Handsomely. 



The Hoover-Prout Co., Avery, O. Paw Paw, Mich. 

Sirs: Your Digger came all right. I used it Tuesday and Wednesday and it was 
entirely satisfactory. I gave it as hard a trial as could well be given a digger and it be- 
haved handsomlv. Used it on wet muck and clay and where the vines literally covered 
the ground and it worked perfectly. The vine separator is a great benefit. Would not 
have a digger without. ' Respectfully, GEO. L- RICH. 

All Pronounce it 0. K. 

The Hoover-Prout Co., Avery, O. Marion, O., Oct. 14, 1902. 

Gentlemen: The Potato Digger I bought of you works to perfection I have had doz- 
ens of visitors to see it work, all pronounce it O. K. 

Yours truly, W. H. UNCAPHER. 

A Pleasure Indeed. 

Uriah Slusser writes: Louisville, O., Oct. 12, 1902. 

I had the pleasure to start the last Digger I received of you on last Thursday. I say 
the " pleasure " as I dug four and one-half acres in eight hours and done splendid work. 



Keep Ttoelce Men Busy. 



E. H. Currier writes: River Falls, Wis., Oct. 8, 1902. 

My digger has just gone into the tool house after digging forty acres, 10,438 bushels 
by weight. Had crew of twelve men and they only waited for me once and that only 
fifteen minutes. Broke drive chain and wound around No. 119 and had to cut it off with 
cold chisel. 

12 




<^^ 




A Feto Testimonials From Our Lapeer, Michigan, Agent. 

Samuei. Swain writes: 

I bought one of your Potato Diggers this wet season. With one day's trial it worked sc 
nicely I made up my mind I could not get my potatoes dug without it. I am glad we have 
such a good machine as the Hoover Digger!^ It handled stony ground complete. 

Wm. Weaver writes: 

The Hoover Digger is the best digger I ever saw. It dug potatoes clean and better 
than any digger made, to my mind. I can save more money with it than I can digging 
with men. I think the Hoover Potato Digger is the machine. 

Robert KinE writes: 

I started a Hoover Digger in my potato field and it worked splendid. I have dug 
thirty -five acres without any trouble whatever. It worked well with wet dirt and among 
stones. It soon got my potatoes out of the way this fall. I can't give the Hoover-Prout 
Co. thanks enough. 

Light Draft and Cheap to Operate. 

jNo. R. Ferris says. Rio, Wis., Oct. 6, 1902. 

I set up the Digger at Fall River one rainy day but did not see it work, but Saturday 
I got the first one you shipped me at work, and I was surprised to see what wonderful 
work it did in wet heavy clay ground. It seems to me that three horses could run it 
easier than four could the old machine. I got my digger of you nine years ago this fall 
and I have placed fio.oo worth of repairs on it and I think it is just as good as when 
I got it from you. 

Would Not Be Without It. 

Jay W. Waldo writes: So. Champion, N. Y., Nov. 26, 1902. 

Enclosed find draft for Potato Digger. Would not be without it. Can dig five ( 5 ) 
bushels per minute. All I want is the help to pick them up and can dig a thousand 
bushels a day with ease. We had so nmch rain that it made it a little heavy digging, but 
it does the work just the same. I will send you a picture of our digging one day. _ It is 
not very good but will show you our farm. I had a nice showing one day but our picture 
man did not come and did not expect him when he did come but wanted a picture of the 
digger to show and so had one, but will make a better showing next time. Would be 
pleased to hear from you at any time and if I can do you any good would be pleased to 
do so. (Seepages.) 

"Wouldn't Take $500 for It." 

North Yakima, Wash., Sept. 25, 1902. 
MiTCHELi,, Lewis & St aver Co., Portland, Oregon. 

Gentlemen: I have used my Hoover Potato Digger two and one-half days now, and 
it does better work than I thought it possible for any digger to do under such circum- 
stances, my ground being rocky and full of clods. 

If I couldn't get another just like it, wouldn't take fSoo for it. 

Yours truly, E. V. TAYLOR. 

Can't Be Beat. 

A1.BERT J. Miller writes: Glen, Wis., Oct. 3rd, 1902. 

I have this day started the Potato Digger I got from you, and it does good work, 
can't be beat. 

Weeds and Weather no Hindrance at Waterloo. 

H. Burgess writes: W.a.terloo, N. Y., Oct. 3rd, 1902. 

We have a hard time this fall, as it has been so wet that the weeds have got the start 
of us so that it is a wonder that the digger can dig them at all, but it does and does it 
good too. 

14 



Echoes From the Grand Rapids, Michigan, Fair. 

. RocKFORD, Michigan. 

Fred CarlylE writes: <. +1,^ f^;^ tTp was selline the digger 

I had a little tilt with an agent down to ^h^ \^';^^^^«,^^^,^^ He fold the man that it 
and had sold one to a man if it worked all right ^^en tnea ^^^ ^ ^^.^^ 

would do better work than the Hoover. The man came a ong to .^^^ ^ ^^^^^^ 

to sell him one and he told me what \lie^^g^"^^';^f'|/^''';^ould buy the digger that did the 
if the other agent would and we r.^^^ ^rv them if he wo^^^^J^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^ down to my 

h!A^^JZ.:jtSS J^ ^S^^^^r^ -Id have s^old them on the run. 

A NetD Potato Digger, 

we are enabled to reproduce on this page ^^^^^^ tHs^I^un^t and^'Srus: 
recent American invention which has just been im^^^^^^^^ -^ of this dig- 

on the farm of Mr. Richardson, f .J^^^^^y ' L^nV^oJ"-!^^^^^^^^ ^^.^^ the roots be- 

ger is the clean manner m w nch t ^^^P^'^'^tes the potatoes iron ^.^^^^ ^^^ 

inc. delivered behind the machine in a narrow row «"/^^3,f '^°V"''gatisfactory^ In the 
Sried to the left side. The digger has so far P^-d -n entb saU^^^^^^^^^^ y^^ 

ttSA t^k S '!^^^-^^^ eaS?; be worked by two fairly heavy 
'"'Twe took this cupping from the Nov. 21, 1902 issue of the " Farm, Field & Fire- 
side," Loudon, England. . 

Worth Fioe Hundred Dollars. 

Allian-ck, O., Sept. 30, 1902. 
T. D. RANDOi^rH writes. . ^ ^ ^j ^ ^^ . ^o excellent 

Well Satisfied u?ith its Work. 

THE HOOVER-PROVT Co., Avery O. . ^^^ef.r/ofSL'^Po'atr Dig^g^r!' We wish to 

Gent/n.r. : Enclosed find check ll'^'ll^'^'^^^^^^^^^ with its work. 

^ ^^Z:^^.^^!^^^^ i=- -iSf ^RTER BROS. 

The Superoisor of Soo Tovonship Says It's " All Right." 

1 ii^j wywify Xov. II, 1902. 

H A OSBORN of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich, savs: 

The ?otato Digger is all right. I forward you payment m full. 

Worked Satisfactory. 

S. E KEVE. Supt. Kane C^Ahna^Hou. writes. ^^^^ ^^^loJ^igS?' ^^^^eived 
same^rt:l?s?;:,^:f it'uraSd S^di^^ it worked satisfactory. 

Did Good Work. 

, n S\GiNA\v, Mich., Sept. 23, 1902. 

The Hoover-Prout Co., Avery, U. _ ^ j ^^^^ ^.^^ pleased 

^.;;AV;;/.;/.- I tried your Digger and it did the ^^^^ gooa ^^^^^ ^^^^.F^^ ^^^ 

with it. Enclosed herewith you will find draft ^pj^^^ame.^^^^ ^^^^^ GEDDER- 
oblige. 16 



"One of the Finest Pieces of Machinery on the Farm." 

Mitchell, Lewis & Staver Co., Portland, Or. Warren, Oregon, Oct. 8, 1902. 

Gentlemen: Referring to the Hoover Potato Digger bought of you last year, will say 
that I had a good opportunity to try it this year and must say that I never saw a machine 
work more perfectly in my life. It put the vines all to one side and the potatoes behind 
the machine on top of the dirt, all clean and in good shape. I consider it one of the 
finest pieces of machinery we have on the farm. 

Yours truly, H. H. CLARK, Manager W. C. Noon Farm. 

Gioes Perfect Satisfaction. 

Chas. a. Frost says: Portland, Mich., Sept. 22, 1902. 

The Digger purchased last year gives perfect satisfaction. 

A Cheerful Settlement. 

J. H. GiBBS writes: Edmore, Mich., Sept. 17, 1902. 

Enclosed find draft for Potato Digger. The machine is all right and I pay for it 
cheerfully. I think I can sell some here, but don't know. A great many farmers here 
have seen it work and pronounce it a complete success. 

ImproDes toith Use. 

A. W. NoRTHUP says: Cullen, N. Y., Sept. 9th, 1902. 

The Digger I bought of you works satisfactory in every respect. I am better pleased 
with it every day I iise it. 

Only Used Tido Horses. 

Dexter, Ont., Can., June 23rd, 1902. 
Messrs. Greer & Kerr, Gore Bay, Ont., Can. 

Sirs: Yours of June 7th just at hand. I enclose your envelope that you may see 
the cause of delay. It was mis-sent, although properly addressed. 

As regards the Hoover Potato Digger would say that it is an excellent machine. 
Have dug with mine for the past ten years. It simply does the work perfect and is easy 
to handle. I always dig with one team. Of course you can put on two teams if you 
choose. I bought the digger for my own use (not to dig for others) but I probably have 
dug over one hundred acres for neighbors and get ;g2.oo per acre for digging. I have dug 
four acres in a day and fast enough to keep twelve men picking. The tops are separated 
from the potatoes and the potatoes are left in a neat narrow row on the surface. In regard to 
the digger working on stony ground, would say that I have had no experience on that 
kind of land, but see no reason why it will not work on any kind of soil you can plow 
with an ordinary plow. I have no hesitation in saying you can rely on The Hoover- 
Prout Co. 's guarantee as to what the digger will do. All potato growers here admit 
that other machines are not much use in comparison to the " Hoover," in fact the com- 
parison in my estimation would be as 5 is to 500 in favor of the " Hoover." In regard 
to repairs, would say that they are cheaper after paying freight and duty than our own 
Canadian goods of same value. I am not an agent for the Hoover Digger or anything 
else and have no more interest in it than yourself. 

Yours respectfully, F. A. JOHNSON. 

(The above letter was written by Mr. Johnson in answer to an inquiry. ) 



Is Just The Thing. 

Glenn McCrory writes: Iowa City, Ia., Nov. 3, 1902. 

Enclosed find draft on Chicago in payment for the Potato Sorter. Have given it a 
fair trial and think it is just the thing. 

The Hoover-ProuT Co., Avery, O. Brownhelm, O., Jan. 11, 1902. 

Dear Sirs: I received the Potato Sorter all right and it works finely. Enclosed 

you will find money order for payment. Yours truly, ED. SHATTUCK. 

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Hoover Potato Sorter 




The above cut represents the Hoover Potato Sorter. You will 
notice at once that it's ' 'just the thing. ' ' "Wonder some one hasn' t thought of 
it before." Well here it is NOW, and at a price within the reach of all. 
With this machine, which Aveighs less than loo pounds, two men and a boy 
can sort and put in the wagon from 80 to 100 bushels an hour. It can be 
operated by one person if necessary. As you see, the potatoes pass from 
the hopper into the cylinder, which should be turned very slow by a lazy 
boy, and if he has got the "spring fever" so much the better. Have him 
pick out the decayed or scabby potatoes as they pass through the hopper, 
otherwise he will want to go to sleep. If the potatoes need sprouting, raise 
the lower end of the machine or turn the cylinder half way over, and then 
back, or both. The small potatoes, dirt, straw, etc., will fall under the 
Sorter into the basket, while the merchantable ones will be delivered into 
baskets as shown, or they may be run on an incline into the cellar. To sort 
seed potatoes from the small ones, just wind the cylinder with binder twine 
the proper mesh, and the result will surprise you. We could give you hun- 
dreds of testimonials, but the machine does its own testifying. The Sorter 
will be sent on trial to any point east of the Rocky Mountains, to responsible 
parties. 



Sorter and Sprouter, F. 0. B., Arery, |16.00. 

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